PERIOD REPORT
DATE: September 23, 2024 Report No. FIRE-24-004
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:TITLE Fire Department - 2024 Second Period ReportBody
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Fire Department from May 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Operations Division
2. Community Services
• Public Safety Groundbreaking Ceremony:
On May 23rd, the Township celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Public Safety Building. The event was attended by the Mayor, Council, and Staff, and featured a special blessing from the Songhees Nation, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to enhancing community safety.
• Enhanced Fire Response Protocol:
In collaboration with Surrey Dispatch and our mutual aid partners, we have improved our initial response to residential, high-rise, and commercial structure fires. The first alarm response now includes 3 Engines, 1 Ladder, and 2 Battalion Chiefs, bringing us closer to the NFPA standard. This enhancement is expected to significantly improve firefighter safety and public safety outcomes.
• Championing Diversity and Inclusion:
Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services was proudly represented at Island Ignite, Vancouver Island’s Female Firefighter Boot Camp, by Firefighter Alexandria Marshall, who served as an instructor. This initiative underscores our department’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusiveness within the firefighting profession.
• Fire Prevention Efforts:
We have initiated a 4-month internal Inspector position to focus on businesses that have failed their initial annual fire safety inspections. By targeting identified fire hazards, this role aims to bolster our fire prevention efforts, thereby increasing community safety and reducing fire risks.
3. Department Services
• Development of Property Release Waiver:
A new Property Release Waiver has been developed for use when the fire department transfers responsibility of a property following incidents such as equipment malfunction, security concerns, or fires. This initiative is aimed at reducing potential liability risks post-incident, ensuring clearer communication and accountability.
• Professional Development and Industry Updates:
Assistant Chief Widdifield and Assistant Chief Swan attended the BC Fire Chief’s Association Summer Conference and the Fire Prevention Summer Conference, respectively. Both have brought back valuable insights and recommendations to improve service delivery at Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services. Notably, we are currently assessing the implications of the new Fire Safety Act on our Bylaws and Inspectors, as well as the impact of the recent addition of Single Egress Stairs to the BC Building Code on our firefighting strategies.
• Leadership and Training Initiatives:
An officer’s meeting was convened, focusing on leadership development and managing expectations within the newly implemented 24-hour compressed work cycle. Additionally, our training efforts have emphasized First Aid medical license upgrades, tower crane technical rope rescue, and wildland firefighting competencies, ensuring our team remains well-prepared and versatile.
4. Administrative Services
• Collective Agreement Renewal:
A renewed Collective Agreement has been successfully signed and ratified between the Township of Esquimalt and the IAFF Local 4264, marking continued cooperation and alignment between the department and its members.
• Implementation of Rescue Hub Training Software:
The department has introduced a new training software, Rescue Hub, designed to streamline the planning, organization, assignment, and tracking of training requirements. This tool will ensure compliance with various governing agencies, including the Office of the Fire Commissioner, Emergency Medical Assistant’s Board, and WorkSafeBC, thereby enhancing our training effectiveness and record-keeping.
• Payroll Process Enhancement: The transition to the new 24-hour compressed work cycle has involved a significant focus on adjusting and refining our payroll reporting processes. This effort has led to improved accuracy and the identification of operational efficiencies.
5. Commitment to Regional Cooperation
The following initiatives were undertaken during this period:
• 4 Core Collaboration: The Fire Chiefs and CAOs of Esquimalt, Victoria, Oak Bay, and Saanich met to discuss ongoing and future collaborative efforts. It was agreed that the CAOs and Fire Chiefs will meet at least once annually, while the Fire Chiefs will continue regular meetings to advance cooperative initiatives.
• Monthly Fire Chief Meetings: The Fire Chiefs from the 4 Core municipalities meet monthly to enhance cooperation and collaboration across the region.
• Joint Recruitment Process: A joint recruitment process between Victoria and Esquimalt has been outlined and will be implemented this fall, resulting in administrative and economic efficiencies.
• Mayday Working Group: This regional initiative has made significant progress, drafting standardized procedures to prioritize firefighter safety across departments.
• Communications Working Group: Under the Fire Services Agreement, representatives from Oak Bay, Victoria, Saanich, and Esquimalt continue to meet monthly to improve fireground communications using common terminology and updated radio technology.
• Aligned Training Practices: Monthly meetings among Oak Bay, Victoria, Saanich, and Esquimalt ensure alignment in firefighter training practices and resource sharing, enhancing scene safety during mutual aid events.
• Crew Visits: Scheduled crew visits between Victoria and Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services are being planned to improve familiarity and coordination during mutual aid responses.
• Mutual Aid Enhancement with View Royal: View Royal and Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services have reviewed their automatic aid responses and collaborated with Surrey Dispatch to enhance initial resource allocation for structure fires, ensuring both municipalities meet a safer standard of response.
• Mutual Aid Enhancement with Victoria: Victoria and Esquimalt also reviewed their automatic aid responses and collaborated with Surrey Dispatch to enhance initial responding resources in their respective municipalities.
II. COMMITTEES
Esquimalt Fire Department members are actively involved with numerous local and regional initiatives through the following associations:
• Greater Victoria Fire Chiefs’ Association
• Greater Vancouver Fire Chief’s Association
o Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP)
• Canadian Fire Chief’s Association
o Leadership Committee
o Mental Health Committee
• British Columbia Fire Chiefs’ Association
• CRD Regional Hazardous Materials Response Planning Committee
• Fire Training Officers’ Association of BC
• Fire Prevention Officers’ Association of BC
• Greater Victoria Fire Prevention Officers’ Association
• Department Occupational Health & Safety Committee
• BC Burn Fund
• BC Professional Firefighters Association
• Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit Joint Management Team